Kelowna Toyota revs up support for Health Sciences Centre
Okanagan College Media Release
Kelowna Toyota is donating $50,000 to Okanagan College's new Health Sciences Centre – a heartfelt gift they hope will inspire fellow business owners to follow their lead.
Jamie Kaban, Kelowna Toyota General Manager, says the donation is made in memory of his cousin Kira Goodwin. Goodwin was a Registered Nurse who died at age 32 in an avalanche while backcountry skiing.
“Kira lived her life taking care of people and giving back,” says Kaban. “This gift honours her values by helping students who will graduate and become caregivers in our community.”
Okanagan College announced its $5-million fundraising campaign to open a new Health Sciences Centre last week. The modern Centre will feature hands-on labs and simulation spaces to educate eight front-line health care practitioners including nurses.
This is Kelowna Toyota’s second gift to the College. Kaban says donating to the Kelowna Trades Complex opened his eyes to the importance of quality training spaces for the future workforce.
With a shortage of health care professionals predicted to grow in the coming years, a new Health Sciences Centre will encourage students to study in the Okanagan and stay once they graduate.
“We are going to need so many health care positions filled in the Okanagan,” says Kaban. “If we are attracting students here we are ultimately attracting our workforce as well, which we are going to need.”
Kaban is not stopping with his donation, he is volunteering on the Okanagan College Foundation’s fundraising cabinet to encourage other companies to help meet the fundraising goal.
Jack Kofoed, the former owner of Kelowna Toyota, and Enterprise Rent a Car are also donating to the Centre.
“We are so thankful to Kelowna Toyota for their donation and leadership on this campaign, which will help us continue to train excellent health care professionals for the Okanagan,” says Helen Jackman, Okanagan College Foundation Executive Director.
“Community support is instrumental to the College's success and growth and we are grateful for the continuous involvement of business and community organizations in the region.”
The Okanagan College Foundation's Our Students, Your Health Campaign aims to raise $3.5 million to complete the building and $1.5 million to upgrade technology and equipment, and create new scholarships and bursaries for students entering in-demand health care professions.
To learn more, visit www.ourstudentsyourhealth.ca.
Kelowna Toyota is donating $50,000 to Okanagan College's new Health Sciences Centre – a heartfelt gift they hope will inspire fellow business owners to follow their lead.
Jamie Kaban, Kelowna Toyota General Manager, says the donation is made in memory of his cousin Kira Goodwin. Goodwin was a Registered Nurse who died at age 32 in an avalanche while backcountry skiing.
“Kira lived her life taking care of people and giving back,” says Kaban. “This gift honours her values by helping students who will graduate and become caregivers in our community.”
Okanagan College announced its $5-million fundraising campaign to open a new Health Sciences Centre last week. The modern Centre will feature hands-on labs and simulation spaces to educate eight front-line health care practitioners including nurses.
This is Kelowna Toyota’s second gift to the College. Kaban says donating to the Kelowna Trades Complex opened his eyes to the importance of quality training spaces for the future workforce.
With a shortage of health care professionals predicted to grow in the coming years, a new Health Sciences Centre will encourage students to study in the Okanagan and stay once they graduate.
“We are going to need so many health care positions filled in the Okanagan,” says Kaban. “If we are attracting students here we are ultimately attracting our workforce as well, which we are going to need.”
Kaban is not stopping with his donation, he is volunteering on the Okanagan College Foundation’s fundraising cabinet to encourage other companies to help meet the fundraising goal.
Jack Kofoed, the former owner of Kelowna Toyota, and Enterprise Rent a Car are also donating to the Centre.
“We are so thankful to Kelowna Toyota for their donation and leadership on this campaign, which will help us continue to train excellent health care professionals for the Okanagan,” says Helen Jackman, Okanagan College Foundation Executive Director.
“Community support is instrumental to the College's success and growth and we are grateful for the continuous involvement of business and community organizations in the region.”
The Okanagan College Foundation's Our Students, Your Health Campaign aims to raise $3.5 million to complete the building and $1.5 million to upgrade technology and equipment, and create new scholarships and bursaries for students entering in-demand health care professions.
To learn more, visit www.ourstudentsyourhealth.ca.
